Palace ready with evidence of irregularities in MRT-3 deal

Palace ready with evidence of irregularities in MRT-3 deal

MALACAÑANG on Thursday, March 8, revealed that it has already obtained the "first batch" of documentary evidence from at least two "whistleblowers" that will expose the alleged irregularities in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)- Line 3 maintenance contract.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said he would forward the "substantial" evidence to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

He said the documents would be vital in the government's plan to pursue a new plunder case against individuals involved in the controversial P3.8-billion contract for the maintenance of MRT-3.

"I have some documentary evidence already," he told Palace reporters.

"I'm directly turning over documents to the NBI and the DOJ so we will see what they will do with the documents," he added.

Roque revealed on Monday, March 5, that the government is planning to file new cases against former officials of the defunct Department of Transportation and Communications because of the "miserable performance" of the train system.

In a radio interview on Tuesday, March 6, Roque divulged that those who are privy to the MRT-3 maintenance deal have surfaced to shed light on the controversial contracts.

According to the whistleblowers' testimonies, a so-called "Pangasinan group" divided the funds supposedly allotted for the maintenance of the MRT-3.

Roque said one-third of the budget reportedly went to the Pangasinan group, another third to a "political machinery," and the remaining one-third to the actual maintenance of the rail transit system.

He said that by next week, he would divulge "facts and details about the plunder of MRT-3." (SunStar Philippines)

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